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Legislature delays vote on wind farm PILOT

Watertown Daily News|Nancy Madsen|December 9, 2009
New YorkTaxes & Subsidies

The county Board of Legislators is probably most noted for what it did not do in its final session of 2009: vote on the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm. Project developer Upstate NY Power Corp. has told the county it needs a PILOT passed by Dec. 31 to allow it time to get financing in order and start construction in 2010.


The county Board of Legislators is probably most noted for what it did not do in its final session of 2009: vote on the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm.

Project developer Upstate NY Power Corp. has told the county it needs a PILOT passed by Dec. 31 to allow it time to get financing in order and start construction in 2010.

The developer needs 5 percent of the project completed in 2010 to qualify for a 30 percent rebate through stimulus money.

County legislators are waiting for signs of a decision on the transmission line, which is not included in the PILOT. The developer applied to the Public Service Commission for a 50.6-mile transmission line that runs from the island to Henderson and then …

... more [truncated due to possible copyright]

The county Board of Legislators is probably most noted for what it did not do in its final session of 2009: vote on the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm.

Project developer Upstate NY Power Corp. has told the county it needs a PILOT passed by Dec. 31 to allow it time to get financing in order and start construction in 2010.

The developer needs 5 percent of the project completed in 2010 to qualify for a 30 percent rebate through stimulus money.

County legislators are waiting for signs of a decision on the transmission line, which is not included in the PILOT. The developer applied to the Public Service Commission for a 50.6-mile transmission line that runs from the island to Henderson and then south through Ellisburg and other towns before connecting to the state grid in the town of Mexico.

Hearings on the route in November raised fears that eminent domain would be necessary to site the line on the mainland through private property, including a large amount of farmland.

"Talks still continue on the transmission line side," Legislator Barry M. Ormsby, R-Belleville, said. "The underwater option is certainly our number one priority. If other alternatives are presented at the PSC table, which we now have a seat at, it will be our priority to be certain of minimal additional impacts."

To vote on the PILOT before the end of the year, the board would have to call a special meeting.

"We'll just see how our questions get answered," Mr. Ormsby said.

The town of Hounsfield and Sackets Harbor Central School District already have approved the PILOT. The proposed PILOT would bring annual payments beginning at $2.14 million to be divided so that 15 percent goes to the town, 35 percent is paid the county and 50 percent is allocated for the school district for the next 20 years.

The board said goodbye Tuesday to retiring longtime Legislator Robert A. Boice, R-Rutland, who has been a strong supporter of agriculture and transparency on the Jefferson County Board of Legislators.

Mr. Boice was first elected in 1999.

"I'm thankful for the time on the board," he said. "Many times, it was challenging. And I feel there's more room for open government, but I'm well satisfied."

The other legislators presented him with a plaque at the end of the board's meeting.

"I know how active you've been with this board," said Chairman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River. "Congratulations and we'll miss you."

Mr. Boice had been the director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County for nearly three decades before he ran for a seat on the board.

The board also recognized county employees who have reached milestones of 25, 30 or 35 years with the county.

At 25 years: Todd Cummings, Suzanne Gillette, Elizabeth Kurtz, Sherry Parker, Donald Pierce, Yvonne Pike, Dr. Edmund Roache, Jane Schofield and Paul Timmerman.

At 30 years: Deanna Babcock, Melanie Bolton, Michele Bruce, Jane Bryant, Lisa Carpenter, Pamela Carr, George Cummings, Robin Kellar and Bernice Zehr.

At 35 years: Cheryl Clark, Holly Cobb, David Frezzo, Carol Kines, Cecilia Perkins, Larry Rogers and Debbie Staie.


Source:http://www.watertowndailytime…

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